The Safety Center

Building
Evacuation/General Building Safety

In the event of a a fire or other
emergency that requires you to evacuate the building, you must exit the
building via one of the two stairwells. These stairwells go directly down to
the lobby level of the building (see diagram below).

The
following Q&A addresses specific questions you might have about building
evacuation and other Life Safety issues at 35 W Wacker.

Q: How will I know that the
building is being evacuated?

A: You
will hear an announcement over the building’s Public Address system.

Q: Will I be able to hear the
Public Address system no matter where I am on a floor?

A: If you are in a restroom, you
will hear the alarm, but may not be able to hear the Public Address system
clearly. Please proceed quickly out of the restroom and out to the
floor to hear specific instructions over the public address system. Safety
teams will always check the restrooms in the event of an emergency.

Q:Can we use the elevators to evacuate during a fire?

A:
No. Use the stairwells. Listen for additional instructions over the Public
Address system. In any other emergency, you will be notified of the safest way
to exit the building. However, if you feel remaining in the building puts your
safety at risk, exit in an orderly fashion.

Q: Do all the doors unlock in
the event of a fire or an emergency evacuation?

A:
All stairwell and glass doors will automatically unlock.

Q: What happens if I am in an
elevator during a fire or in a power outage?

A:
The elevators will first come to a stop and then automatically descend to the
lobby level.

Q: How many stairwells are
there in the building? Where are they located?

A: There
are two stairwells that lead to lobby level from each floor. Stairwell A is
located in the main corridor at the northeast corner. Stairwell B is located
in the main corridor at the southwest corner (see floorplans)

Q: How do I know if it is
safe to exit through a stairwell?

A: First,
feel the door for heat. If the door is hot, DO NOT open it. Proceed to the
other stairwell. In the event BOTH doors are hot, stay on your floor
and wait for further directions from the Fire Department. The stairwell doors
are "fire rated" which means they are designed to prevent the spread
of fire.

Q:What if there is smoke
in the stairwell when I open the door?

A:
Shut the door. Proceed to and check the other stairwell. In the event there is
smoke in BOTH stairwells, stay on your floor and wait for further directions
from the Fire Department.

Q:Is there a sprinkler system in the building?

A:
Yes, they are located in the ceiling at 15-ft. intervals. There is at least
one sprinkler in each private office and in the conference rooms.

Q:How many fire extinguishers are there on each floor?

A:
There are four fire extinguishers on each typical floor. Floors 2,3,16 and 17
are smaller sized floors. There are three fire extinguishers on these floors.
See the floor plan for exact locations.

Q: What if the building loses
power?

A:
All doors will automatically unlock. The elevators will stop. The emergency
generator will turn on and bring the elevators down to lobby level. Emergency
lighting will illuminate stairwells, exit signs and numerous areas on each
floor.

Q: What should I do if I have
a condition, either temporary or permanent, which may impact my ability to be
aware of an emergency situation or to evacuate the building?

A:
If this is the case, please alert Claudia Hicks (Claudia.Hicks@us-resources.com)
at the onset of your condition. This information will be held in strict
confidence shared only with crisis team members. Should your condition change,
let Claudia know.

Q:In an emergency, would the use of a cell phone interfere with the emergency
communications systems?

A:
No.

Q:What do I do if someone needs immediate medical assistance?

A:
If you have access to a Burnett phone, dial 1111. If you have a cell phone,
dial (312) 220-1111. If you are in a stairwell, use the 2-way intercom system
located in the stairwells to communicate with the security console located in
the building lobby.

Q: Does the Wacker Drive
construction impede our ability to evacuate the building.

A:
No.

Q: What if I have more
questions about Life Safety in our building?

A:
We want to hear from you! Please e-mail any additional questions to Claudia
Hicks.